Activity 1: Chicken, Hen or Rooster Craft - Ovals (Egg
Shape) and Handprints
Here is a very simple craft to help introduce the chicken, hen (female
chicken) or rooster (male
chicken). The templates in the craft (except the
handprints) are an EGG shape, make sure to discuss birds
> chicken hatch from eggs.

The chicken or rooster craft templates can be assembled in various ways,
and the process can
be made more challenging and creative depending on the ages of the
children.

The is suitable to enhance related themes, holidays and events listed
in the themes column and children's literature.

The oval or egg shape template can be replaced with a CD/DVD
size circle or adapt to bigger hands ages 6+ with a small
standard 6" inch paper place.

The crest (red-handprint) and neck feathers are created with 3 cut-outs, colored-in or painted
handprints.

Printing Options for the Chicken / Rooster Craft:

Prepare ahead of time:* Trace and help to cut out three handprints for each
child: one red, two white or other color. Children ages 6+ and older should be encouraged to do
most of the craft with very little assistance, read suggestions for
this age group below.
Option 1: Print color templates, trace, and cut out
handprints. Proceed to assembly instructions below.
Option 2: Print black & white templates, color
templates, trace and cut out handprints. Proceed to assembly instructions below.

Option 3: Print black and white templates.
Trace templates over construction paper, color foam sheets or other
left over materials
you may want to recycle.

* Step 1: Crest and neck "feathers"
- Distribute one half red sheet of construction paper for the
crest. Instruct children to trace one hand, and cut-out.
- Distribute one sheet of paper / construction paper folded in
half. Instruct children to trace one hand to obtain two
handprints for neck area.
* Step 2: Children will color and
cut out the beak ovals and eyes.
* Step 3: Children will assemble the craft independently with minimum
assistance following the suggested assembly method below.

Assembly instructions suggested:
*At this point all materials should be decorated/colored and ready for
assembly.

Have children look at the small image of the rooster craft in their template page or show a
finished craft to large groups.

Shapes and colors > Make sure to discuss and identify
shapes (ovals) and colors during the assembly process. Refer to pieces
by shape and color.

1. Demonstrate how to position each handprint over the head and
under the head to create feathers for the neck.

2. Help children to trace a line with a pencil along the edge
of the handprint to mark the position of the handprints.
Children will remove the handprints, place glue below or above the
lined marked and reposition and paste the handprints.

3. Beak,
eyes and waddle:
Children can first
position and mark the position of the eyes, beak and waddle. Apply
glue and paste.